The Tennessee Department of Correction Tuesday announced a new bonus structure for employees in its correctional security series. According to the Tuesday communication to employees, as of April 21, 2021, TDOC Security Series employees are eligible to receive a single payment retention bonus of $4,000. In addition, new Correctional Officer candidates whose application is received on or after April 21, 2021 will receive a sign-on bonus of $5,000 spilt up over 18-months.
The department also announced a referral incentive of $1,000 for any TDOC employee who actively recruits a new Correctional Officer. TDOC will pay the referral bonuses over a six-month period; $500 within 30-days after the new correctional officer is hired and $500 at the end of the new employee’s probation period. There is no limit to how many referral incentives an employee can earn, as long as the department has vacancies for correctional officers.
“Filling vacant positions is a challenge faced by law enforcement agencies across the country,” TDOC Commissioner Tony Parker said in his communication to employees. “Still, we recognize that we must find creative solutions to ensure we continue to meet our mission of offering safe and secure prisons.”
The communication said more information about the new bonuses would be shared on the TDOC intranet website.
This is a developing story, and we will share more details as they become available.
To view Commissioner Parker’s letter to employees, click here.
